Official showcase of Scottish work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe unveiled

Stories drawn from real-life alcoholics, a female soldier's sexual violence and bullying in the US military, and the stance taken by conscientious objectors who refused to fight during the First World War will be part of the official government-funded showcase of Scottish work at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The £560,000 Made in Scotland programme will also feature a comedy inspired by a radical gay and lesbian bookshop in 1980s Edinburgh, a dance show which will be staged inside the main debating hall of the City Chambers, a show about a series of urban horror stories in a fictional Scottish town.

Theatre-maker Cora Bissett will recall her experiences as a teenage rock star catapulted into Britain's 1990s indie-rock scene with her Fife band Darlingheart as part of the 10th annual showcase of home-grown productions.

Ross Wilson, who performs as Blue Rose Code, will stage a new show exploration generations of "Caledonian Soul" music as part of the programme, which will Mairi Campbell recall how her performance of Auld Lang Syne ended up in the film version of Sex and the City.

Musician and composer Anna Meredith will unveil a new adaptation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, JG Ballard's cult novel Concrete Island will influence an experimental dance show and a new musical will be inspired by the Oscar-winning Daniel Day Lewis movie My Left Foot.

Scottish culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Made in Scotland provides an important platform for Scottish artists and companies to showcase their outstanding work at the Fringe, the largest performing arts festival in the world.

“Through our Festivals Expo Fund, the Scottish Government has contributed £560,000 towards the delivery of this year’s edition of the festival.

Since its launch 10 years ago, we have provided just under £5.5 million to Made in Scotland, enabling Scottish theatre, dance and music acts to showcase their work across the world, reaching new and diverse audiences.

“We believe that public funding of the arts is fundamental and we will continue to support our talented artists and companies. I look forward to seeing performances in August.”

Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “It’s a special year for Made in Scotland as we celebrate 10 years of this fantastic showcase, presenting the finest work from Scotland to the world.

"We're very proud of this initiative and of all artists that have participated in Made in Scotland at the Fringe over the last decade.

"The showcase provides a crucial platform for Scottish made work at the Fringe, but also supports artists to take their work to other parts of the world, raising awareness about Scotland’s vibrant arts offering.